Three RNLI lifesavers were recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours 2012. Retired Newhaven Coxswain Ian Johns received an MBE for services to maritime safety. Ian was on the lifeboat crew for 37 years.

Arran Lifeboat Operations Manager Geoff Norris was awarded the MBE for his many years’ voluntary service with the RNLI. Geoff first started volunteering at the station in 1973.

Val Nixon was honoured for her fundraising efforts. She retired last year after 43 years’ service, having helped raise millions of pounds. She says: ‘I had no idea when I joined the RNLI at the age of 16 that I would still be there more than 40 years later, but it just got into my blood and became such a big part of my life.’